BRITAIN'S compensation culture has been blamed for a ban on sparklers at a bonfire event near Bewdley this weekend.

Organisers have had to enforce the ban for Saturday's bonfire at Far Forest Showground after running into difficulty getting public liability insurance.

The event, at Callow Hill on the A456, is being organised by The Far Forest Society.

Spokesman, John Collett, said: "The insurance companies are being bombarded by claims and are having to put up their charges. We are allowed no sparklers or fireworks among the audience.

"Only qualified staff, located behind fences and who are certificated, can put on the display."

Mr Collett said he was saddened by the climate of compensation, which led to the clampdown but added, in this instance, the ban had helped allay public fears about safety.

He said: "We were initially very concerned because children like to be involved in the event but the more I speak to people you realise in a crowd with kids running about that they could be jabbed in the eye with a dangerous and sharp object.

"My initial thoughts were it was unfair, that we had been just told what to do but, perhaps, in this instance it does have some merit."

Malcolm Tarling, spokesman for The Association of British Insurers, told the Shuttle/Times & News: "Insurers are looking much more at good risk management because we live in an environment where people are increasingly likely to sue.

"Incidents like this are a reflection on the fact that we live in a litigious society. It is not the risk that is great - it is because people are more aware that they are able to sue."

Saturday's event opens with a fair at 5pm and the bonfire will be lit and the fireworks display will begin at 7.30pm.

Proceeds from the event will go towards construction of new changing rooms at the showground.